| 883 | Luca Barbarossa | Edoardo Bennato |
| Irene Grandi |
| Francesco De Gregori | Grazia De Marchi | Giorgia |
| Fiorella Mannoia | Marco Masini | Anna Oxa |
| Sanremo 2001 Collections |
| Biagio Antonacci | Alex Britti | Pino Daniele |
| Nicolo' Fabi | Ron |
| Eros Ramazzotti | I Stadio |
1 in + (uno in piu')
883 is at again with another summer release. Over the years,
Max Pezzali (as the the group) has become famous for ability to tap into
the sentiments and sound of young people in Italy. This album
shows, what I believe, is a little more maturity and diversification.
The energy and intensity are there in many songs. However, I did
not like the album as much as I did past works. Maybe I was expecting
more or have gotten to use to a particular style of album. That is
not ot say this is not a good album. In fact, it is quite good and
fun to listen to...just not what I was expecting. I rate this a buy
for both fans and newcomers. You can expect the usual array of songs
and few twists thrown in for good measure. The twists are new and
varied styles which are a step removed frm the straightforward pop style
associated with 883. Give it a try and make up your own mind about
the possible directions 883 will take to grow as its audience also grows
and matures.
Viaggio di Ritorno
He's back!! Although not quite with what I was expecting.
Luca Barbarossa had a solid line of hits going through the mid-80s to the
90s. However, he has been a little quite of late. This album
is meant to get him up and running again. I suppose on one level
it succeeds. However, I was a little disappointed in the contents
of the album. The cd is a compilation of 19 cuts with 3 new, 3 new
versions, 2 remixes and one live cut and balance left as is. The
new cuts (Viaggio di ritorno, Zerosei and Nessuno come noi) are good, but
I do not believe they match the level of his earlier works. What
really freaked me out is the new version of Via Margutta. To me,
this is a classic sound and vocal composition...it is part of the essential
Barbarossa. Now it has been recast with some sort of quickened tempo
that only serves to remind us how much better the original was and
still is! Despite the let down of the new version, I would rate this
a buy for both Barbarossa fans and new listeners. The rest of the
album does make up for a few errors and miscues. The cd serves as
a nice anthology of his career and showcases his talent as a cantautore.
Let's hope the future brings a stronger viaggio di ritorno.
Afferrare una stella
I was a little, no, make that very disappointed in Edoardo Bennato's
latest effort. Here I was thinking that he had created a new fable
album similar to some of his best early work. Instead, I get
a rehash of his songs from the previous fable albums shoehorned into a
new story line with a couple of new mediocre cuts and a new cover.
What a rip! I am getting a little tired of re-release after re-release
with a couple of new songs thrown in. Enough with producing cds to
fulfill contractual obligations...what about producing albums people might
actually want to listen to? Okay, now that I have vented I feel a
little better. Do what you want with
this cd. If you want another recompilation of his work go for
it. If, however, you want to hear the songs in their original concept
album context, skip this and go back for the original good stuff.
Irek
Why she wants to be known as Irek I will never know but in the meantime
I can tell you that this best of and new cuts cd is a wise investment.
For those of you who have followed her career, this is a nice summary album
with some of her best hits and a few new cuts thrown in. For those
of you who are new, this cd is good as it captures her various stages from
wild to contemplative and back again. Irene Grandi manages to combine
a solid rock/pop sound in many cuts. However, she is also able
to let her softer side which exposes you to ballads and mellower cuts.
The album includes the summer hit Per fare l'amore along with the other
new cuts Sconvolto cosi, Che vita e' (acoustic version) and In vacanza
da una vita (2001 version). I don't think Irene has achieved the
success her music and style should bring her. However, do not sell
her short; you will discover solid vocals and likable songs on the album.
In a summer filled with mediocre music and so-so releases, put this on
on the buy list.
Amore Nel Pomeriggio
If there is one thing I have to admit is that I am a casual De Gregori
fan. I go for some songs and could care less about others. I am not
a diehard fan. However, I will be the first to admit that his new
album is one of his best in a long time. The songs range from ballads
to medium-soft beats with a hint of rock lurking in some songs. The cd
is fun and touching to listen to in the same moment. One of the songs
in the cd caused quite the stir as it refers to a cook during the time
of the Republic of Salo' during World War II. Suddenly people accused De
Gregori of becoming a rightist. What they neglected to do was listen
to a touching, beautiful piece about an individual caught in a chapter
of history. De Grogori has that marvelous ability to enter into his
subjects lives and create an empathy
that few artists can approach. This album rates very highly with me.
If you are even a casual fan, get the album. If you want to sample
a rich, mature De Gregori who has crafted a superior album, get the cd.
If you are looking for work by an excellent cantautore with a good, solid
repertoire, get the disc. In other words, add the cd to your collection,
it will be a wise choice.
Lasciatemi vivere
I read about this album and thought why not. I am glad I spent
the money. I cannot adequately describe the pleasant surprise this
album provided. The sound is gentle and pleasing and surrounds vocals
that seem to speak from years of experience. Admittedly, I had never
listened to Grazia De Marchi before. Obviously,
this was a serious oversight on my part. If you manage to find
the album, give it a try and you will wonder at the remarkable arrangements
and words by Marco Ongaro. It is as if everything has come together
in perfect balance to great a light yet pleasing sound that never ceases
to amaze for its satisfying simplicity. The tempo is slow to softly
upbeat without lulling you to sleep. I rate this album a buy for
those who will enjoy something new. Newcomers may wish to go with
more mainstream pop if that is the road you are taking. This album
will round out a collection nicely and make you the envy of all your friends!
Senza ali
I was sooo excited by the thought of a new album, I almost fell over
myself rushing to the store to buy it. Much like Oxa, I have heard
better. While the album is not bad, it is not on the level of the
previous Girasole album. There are a couple of goods that grow on
you including the Sanremo piece. However, overall, the album lacks
that certain something that sets it a part from the pack. Do not
get me wrong, Giorga is an excellent performer and her songs are well done.
However, I am always looking for the that little extra in a cd that
puts it over the top. It can be as little as an arrangement or melody.
This album does fall a little short in that regard. Unlike Oxa, I
do not regret buying it. It is good enough to get the nod for fans.
Novices may wish to opt for her 2-3 previous albums and then come back
to this
work.
Fragile
With this album Fiorella Mannoia only confirms her abilities as one
of the premier singers in Italy today. I read somewhere that if she
were in the US singing in english, she would be a megastar. No doubt
about it. Fiorella Mannoia has one of the best albums of 2001. As
usual she lets her unparalleled vocal abilities do
the talking (or singing as the case may be). She is wonderful
on this album as she covers awide range of song styles. Her duet
with DeGregori on "L'uccisione di Babbo Natale" is worth the price
of the album alone. If you are familiar with Fiorella Mannoia, you
will not need any additional prodding to go and get this cd. For
those of you new to her, do not doubt. Simply try this album and
I believe you will be able to enjoy listening to her for her vocal abilities
and quality of the songs and arrangements. Mannoia is an excellent
singer and to overlook this album would be a major mistake.
Uscita di Sicurezza
After last year's pan of Masini's Sanremo cd, I was almst going to
skip over this cd. However, call me a softie, I went for it. I have to
admit that I was both surprised and satisfied witht the end product. I
could not believe that Masini had actually stopped the whinning that characterized
most of the previous
cds and moved on with his music. This is still rock and pop but the
tone is different. There is hope. There is life. There is actually
music and words I can
write positively about! The album is nice. For fans it
is an opportunity to hear Masini as we rarely have in the past and provides
a good contrast to previous albums. Novices may actually enjoy this side
of Masini although his very first album should be a part of your collection
as well. Overall this is a buy if you want to give it a whirl.
Not an overwhelming endorsement but better than some past reviews.
L'eterno movimento
I am a bit undecided with this album. On the one hand, it is not a
bad typical effort by Oxa. On the other hand, it is a typical effort
by Oxa. Some of the songs almost sound as if they are from her previous
album from a strict style perspective. She is taking an interesting
road with her music and style. The cut from
Sanremo is good although not outstanding. This is one of the
albums that I would have to rate a fan only buy. She has done and
can do better. I f you are looking to a sampler of higher quality
Oxa, then sample her albums a couple of years back. Fans may pick
this album because it is her. But even as a fan, I am regretting
the purchase. There is better out there.
Sanremo 2001 Collections on Universal and BMG
Okay, if you have to have these albums get them. But do not say
that I did not warn you about the general mediocre level of the offerings.
The cds have 17 and 20 cuts respectively but only a handful on each is
worth the plastic pellets the cd is made from. These are compilations
that you can certainly pass on unless you wish to have a couple of the
hit cuts.
Tra le mie Canzoni
I very much enjoyed this cd which is a mix of greatest hits (some live)
and few new cuts from one of the premiere young writers and performers
in Italy. The album, with its 17 cuts, offers a full sampler of Antonacci's
works and various styles from ballads to pop to outright rock. If you are
a fan then you must add this to your collection.as a a fine exemplar of
what he is capable of on a fairly consistent basis. For those of
you wondering about finding a nice, well-rounded album which should satisfy
most tastes out there, this is it. It is a worthwhile piece for any
collection.
La Vasca
Alex has come a long way from his debut single just a few summers ago.
I enjoyed this album which provided a nice showcase for interesting mix
of melodies and styles including jazz and blues wrapped in pop with a twist
of classic melody thrown in for good measure. The album, while definitely
aimed at a younger market should appeal to all listeners for its well rounded
delivery and variety. Overall, this is a buy for fans and for those
who want to test the waters with one of the new breed of Italian artists
on the scene. The re-release version of the album contains the single
from Sanremo which shows Alex' softer side.
Medina
Finally, an album I can unabashedly praise in all respects. This
is very simple: Pino Daniele has produced a distintively well-produced,
well thought out and infinitely listenable cd that cuts across many musical
boundaries. Medina combines the melodies and voices of Italy and
north Africa into a collection of songs that you may not be able to understand
but you will certainly like them and be swept away in their well crafted
nature. Listen closely and you will hear 99 Posse on "Evviva
o 'rre." Mia Cooper on background vocals on several
of the pieces shines and matches the high caliber of the music with her
voice. Additional guests are Faudel, Salif Keita and Lotfi
Bushnaq. Do I know who these people are? Absolutely not,
but I do know that they have combined to create a delicious album that
is a must for 2001 for all music lovers. The tracks which combine
Italian and Arab lyrics are a wonder to behold. Do not hesitate on
this purchase. Over the last few years Pino Daniele has produced
a long line of successful cds. Add this one to the list and buy and
enjoy it as soon as possible.
Sereno ad ovest
Nicolo' Fabi burst on the scene a few years ago and took the charts
by storm. Unfortunately, since then, he has sort of lurked around
the edges. His latest effort is a nice album. It is well executed
and pleasant, and I really cannot recommend it except for fans.
Have you ever listened to an album, thought "That's nice." and then forgotten
about the content almost immediately. That is my feeling on this
cd. There are some very pleasant songs and maybe one worth remembering,
but after that, the cd falters. The songs are a sort of soft pop
with a generally medium to slow beat. I suggest you hold on to your
ducats for something more memorable and entertaining.
70/00
This album which came out last year contains new versions of Ron's
best songs (some does as duets) and three new pieces. I have to tell
you that I was disappointed with this cd. I am not sure I like some
of the new arrangements and I certainly am not happy with the songs that
were selected as the best over a 30 year career. You may be better
off buying some of his older cds for a better selection of songs.
And the new songs on this cd just did not impress me as worthwhile.
This is another case where you can save the money and purchase something
better later in the year. Even fans might be better off passing on
this
release and directing their attention elsewhere.
Tarantata
Okay, I admit I am a little late in reviewing this cd. However,
like many good things, it is worth the wait...the cd that is! Some
of you may recall Alessandra's name for her efforts with I Giullari di
Piazza and their many albums. This album also features John La Barbera,
Steve Gorn and Glen Velez providing instrumental support. John also
wrote and arranged several of the pieces with Alessandra. That is
the background on the performers. As to the cd, it is a marvelous
collection of songs which are part of the tradition of the tarantata from
southern Italy. The genre encompasses the songs, chants and laments
that serve to heal the mind, body and spirit. As interpreted by Alessandra,
the songs take on a quality that lends them to be appreciated by young
and old, Italian and American. Alessandra's vocals and the emotion
in them hit the mark. Some songs will have you tapping along as you feel
the energy building in you, others will leave you reflecting and wondering
and still others will serve as a basis for further exploration of this
area of music. This album ties in nicely to the ongoing efforts in
Italy by artists such as Eugenio Bennato to record and capture part of
a tradition of music and healing that extends back for centuries.
Alessandra has researched her subject matter well and the effort and belief
in what she is doing shines through in the cd. I think
people will find something to to make this cd feel like their own.
It is a strongly recommended buy especially if you wish to explore this
side of music and tradition.
Stilelibero
Would I be out of line to simply wrap up my review now with a summary
"Eros does it again" as the review? Not likely. I was a little
apprehensive at first when I purchased the album (maybe it was the whole
Cher duet thing) that I might be disappointed. And at first listen
I really did not go for the album. However, and
Eros fans take note, I did listen to it again and again in fairness
and fear (of the fans in case I did give a bad review). I am happy
to report that I enjoyed the album. Eros has managed to cover a full
range of musical styles in 12 songs. Some is classic Eros and some
is experimental in terms of the rhythms and style. Eros fans...oh
never mind...you probably already bought it anyway. For the rest
of you, I think you will be satisfied with the contents and efforts.
I even enjoyed the duet with Cher! Kidding aside, this is a solid
when thought out and executed effort by one of the most consistently marketable
singers in Italy. The cd is generally upbeat in tone and I find myself
bopping along to Fuoco nel fuoco as I write this. Grab a copy and
enjoy it especially if you have his other albums.
Donne e Colori
I have been listening to this cd for the better part of a day now.
The more I listen, the more I like the consistency and sound which Stadio
captures in the album. I find it amazing that a band that has been
around so many years can produce good, quality albums over and over.
It is also amazing that you do not quite realize
immediately how good the albums actually are. It is easy to listen
to the pieces and find yourself humming or craving them a little while
later. The songs work their magic on you and before you know it they
have become solid hits. Think of it as out secret Italian Sinfonia sleeper
recommendation as I highly recommend this cd to fans and newcomers
as well. Take the time to listen to the songs which range from midrange
rock to pop to ballads and you too will walk away
impressed and craving just a little more of the quality Stadio offers.
Among my favorites are In paradiso con te, Sei tu che mi accendi, Te
lo ricordi, Facile, La ragazza col telefonino, Doma il mare il mare doma.
I do not think you will be sorry for purchasing this cd or the last 2-3
from Stadio.